CRONKITE SPORTS

Brophy hopes to continue swimming dominance

Aug 3, 2018, 8:44 PM

The Brophy swimming program has won 30 consecutive state titles and 37 of the last 38. The program ...

The Brophy swimming program has won 30 consecutive state titles and 37 of the last 38. The program has sent numerous swimmers to Division I schools and one even to the olympics. (Joel Viss/ Cronkite News)

(Joel Viss/ Cronkite News)

PHOENIX — Brophy College Preparatory swimmers have taken advantage of their time in the pool.

The private school has won a jaw-dropping 30 straight state swimming titles and 37 of the last 38, as well as sending its swimmers to premier colleges across the country.

“We just have more guys that work harder than all the rest of the teams,” said former Brophy swim coach Pat O’Neill. O’Neill coached the Broncos swim program for 12 seasons before resigning in February to return to coaching at Red Mountain High School in Mesa.

A major pipeline to Brophy’s everlasting depth of swimmers is the youth club teams. The teams swim all year and the coaches build relationships with the Brophy swim coaches. As a private school that wins championships, it is an easy choice for talented swimmers.

Two that stand out are accomplished 2013 graduate T.J. Decker and Olympic medal winner and 1993 graduate Gary Hall Jr.

“After many years of competition, and after many years of winning, people realized it’s just the place to be,” said Decker who swam for the Arizona Marlins Swim Club. “You can come from all walks of life, and all around the Valley, and immediately jell with the team.”

Brophy’s swim program goes on an annual retreat to Manresa, the school’s own retreat center, in Sedona. There the swimmers bond before heading into the season.

“No one on the team gets cut. Everyone who tries out makes the team,” Hall said. “Manresa lets all the players, no matter the skill level, get to know one another.”

Decker explained that one four-year member on the team, who was also the school’s mascot, wasn’t the most talented swimmer, but was extremely good at kicking. Whenever there was a kicking competition in the water he would defeat even the best swimmers on the team. That was what the retreat was about: creating an environment where the athletes don’t just care about winning, they care about each other.

“I think it’s a continuation of being a positive culture where someone can flourish as a person and an athlete,” said Brophy’s new head coach Daren Brubaker, who is going into his fifth season with the program. “I get it championships are great, but what we do outside the pool is more important.”

One of the most noticeable things on Brophy’s school website is the school’s mission statement: “Brophy is committed to educating the whole person — mind, body and soul and to developing Men for Others.”

“Being a man for others is being selfless and showing unconditional love towards each other,” Brubaker said.

Decker carried this tradition with him after he graduated high school and had to have a mournful reunion with his teammates after former team captain Timmy Frakes tragically died almost two years ago.

“We came together as brothers and had some tough calls to spread the news to each other,” Decker said. “(Frakes) was definitely a model of success for Brophy swimming. We did what we do best and we came together and just pushed forward.”

Pushing forward is something the Brophy swim program has always done, not looking back and trying to focus on the goals ahead of them. It is hard to stay grounded, especially as teenagers, when all the team does is win.

“Every year we look at what we got and what we got ahead of us and try to set goals we can work towards and to just get everybody to commit,” O’Neill said. “So, ‘All right, we’re going to go through the season and every single one of you guys is going to be 10 to 15 percent better than you were when you were walking in and we’re going to support each other with that.’ It’s to try and keep the kids from getting complacent.”

“Swimming is an individual sport with team results,” Brubaker said. “If my swimmer understands that, they look forward to winning a championship, the season and the traditions we instilled hear at Brophy. If everyone is going up there selfish and just thinking about their time, then what’s the point of coming together as a team?”

“At one point I wasn’t having fun swimming,” Hall said. “Brophy taught me to have fun while swimming and it prolonged my career.”

“We went into every meet like it was the state championship,” Decker said. “We weren’t cocky, but we were extremely confident that we would win every single meet. And not only win every meet but we’d shoot to try and double the points. You can never allow yourself to discount who was racing next to you. You were only trying to race yourself.”

With the last two coaches winning a respectable 12 and 15 straight championships, Brubaker has big shoes to fill. Being under the wing of O’Neill the last four years, Brubaker lacks no confidence when it comes to winning state championships.

“I firmly believe Pat O’Neill helped me grow as a coach,” Brubaker said. “We have a strong freshman class coming in and we have guys that are looking ahead.”

Even O’Neill, after leaving the program, still expects Brophy to dominate the Arizona swimming circuit.

“With the freshman class that we had last year, these 10 kids that were very committed, have become close friends and really support each other, I think they are good for another four years, at least,” O’Neill said.

As long as the sun shines in Arizona, Brophy’s swimming program will try to stay cool by extending its consecutive titles streak.

“Whatever you put in this sport, you get out of it. I firmly believe that,” Brubaker said.

Cronkite Sports

Cronkite Sports

Sports gambling in Arizona moves closer to reality

In the near future, the Arizona sports fan’s experience could include the ability to place bets inside sports venues while the action unfolds.

3 years ago

Higley quarterback Kai Millner committed to Cal this spring, despite visiting the campus just once ...

Cronkite Sports

Arizona high school football recruits still committing amid coronavirus

Despite visiting campuses few times if at all in some cases, class of 2021 high school football prospects from Arizona are committing at record rates.

4 years ago

(Photo via Cronkite News courtesy Mesa Community College Facebook)...

Arizona Sports

COVID-19 prompts junior colleges to push for cancellation of sports

The 2020-21 school year for Maricopa County community colleges may not include sports, schools await a decision by the district chancellor.

4 years ago

New Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez believes outreach in the Arizona Hispanic market is ...

Cronkite Sports

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez looks to reach Latino community

New Coyotes CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez is the first Latino president and CEO in NHL history and hopes to reach new fans in the Valley.

4 years ago

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who joined the Phoenix Mercury in the offseason, is ready to get the WNBA...

Cronkite Sports

Full pay, 22-game season in Florida on tap for Phoenix Mercury

Another league has agreed on a return-to-play plan in the month of July. This time it’s the WNBA, whose members include the Phoenix Mercury.

4 years ago

Phoenix Rising FC assistant coaches Peter Ramage (left) and Blair Gavin are awaiting details about ...

Cronkite Sports

Phoenix Rising players await news on resumption of USL Championship

Phoenix Rising FC and the USL Championship are set to resume play July 11 while players wait on more details for the return.

4 years ago

Brophy hopes to continue swimming dominance